Racing: Owner keen on battle of giants

NEW YORK - Jess Jackson, owner of Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, says she won't run against Zenyatta in a US$5 million ($7.14 million) race in Arkansas, but he's proposing a three-race series in which the two will meet.

Jerry Moss, who owns Zenyatta with wife Ann, was surprised by Jackson's announcement, saying: "I have no idea what he's even talking about. Which three races? "And where? "And when?"

Jackson said last week he had been in discussions with the president of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and hoped details could be worked out with the owners of Zenyatta.

In a news release, Jackson said if training and racing schedules as well as purse money can be worked out, the three races would "rival the Triple Crown".

Oaklawn Park recently said it would boost the purse of the Apple Blossom on April 3 to US$5 million from US$500,000 if both horses competed. While Moss said plans call for Zenyatta to run, Rachel Alexandra won't be there.

"It's a shame they are not going to show up for that race," Moss said.

"In the meantime, there's some plan here, to run in three races, to which we're supposed to respond to, and we haven't even been consulted about it. So, I don't know what I'm supposed to say."

Moss did say Zenyatta remained on schedule to run in the Santa Margarita at Santa Anita on March 13, and then the Apple Blossom.

"Then we'll see what's next," Moss said, adding that the goal is to run in the Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs on November 5-6.

"The Breeders' Cup is something I honour. I believe that's where championships are decided."

Jackson, meanwhile, said he believed a series of races was the way to go, although he did not mention any races or racetracks he had in mind for the series that would conclude in November.

"The fans have spoken. The media has spoken. Everyone wants to see Rachel race against Zenyatta, including me," Jackson said.

The two champions have not met on the racetrack, and Rachel Alexandra beat Zenyatta in voting for Horse of the Year.

Rachel Alexandra has been training at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Her first race of the year is likely to be in mid-March.

NTRA president Alex Waldrop supports any effort that would feature the sport's biggest stars.

"The NTRA will do everything possible to facilitate a meeting between them," he said.

- AP